Typewriting ribbon



R w., GRUNDEL 2,789,676

TYPEWRITING RIBBON April 23, 1957 Fild March 17, 1953 2 She'ets-Sheet 1 I l 9 All i i} liq II #n I 1 ii iii iigg g g. 7 l 8 l 1 4 \8 .5

INVENTOR R. WILLY GRUNDEL ATTORNEYS April 23, 1957 R w. GRUNDEL 2,789,676

TYPEWRITING RIBBON 1 Filed March 17, 1955 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 FIG. 4

PG/Rm Pe/ikan CK "T 28 4 FIG. 7 29 a INVENTOR" R. WILLY GRUNDEL BY ufd J kgxgrvll/p ATTORNEY! This invention relates to a typewriting ribbon for office machines of all types.

When using certain types of ofiice machines, particularly tabulating machines, those which use a type alphabet for example, it is often desirable to provide two or more originals at the same time. Heretofore complicated devices were required for that purpose or, as a rule, the

operator was required to type originals separately, over and over again.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of prior art constructions and toprovide simple, inexpensive and effectively opearting means through the use of which a plurality of originals may be typed at the same time.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a typewriting ribbon for ofiice machines which can be used upon existing machines, making changes in such machines unnecessary, and which will produce two ormore originals as a result of a single typing.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide means through the use of which a plurality of originals can be typed at one and the same time and which can be used in any type of office machine employing a typed alphabet.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.

In accomplishing the objects of the present invention it was found advisable to provide a typewriting ribbon which consists of a plurality of separate super-imposed sections or ribbons, impreganted with ink.

A typewriting ribbon of such construction makes it possible to provide two or more typewritten originals. By way of example, when a ribbon consisting of two sections is used it will produce two positive originals and one negative original. A ribbon consisting of three sections will produce three positive originals and two negative originals, and so forth.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea the typewriting ribbon consisting of several sections may be conveniently produced by the use of a single continuous ribbon folded to form a plurality of sections. This arrangement has the following advantage which is of particular importance for ribbons of substantial length:

It is well known that when two super-imposed ribbons are wound upon a single spool, they will have different lengths since the outer ribbon will be longer than the inner ribbon to the extent that the circumference of the outer layer is greater than the circumference of the inner layer. Practical experience has shown that when two ribbons having a length of two metres each are used, the relative difference in length may be as much as centimetres, depending upon the thickness of the material which is being used. When the two ribbons run through the machine, the outer layer will be of somewhat greater length unless an equalization of the length is achieved. In accordance with the present invention such an equali- States Patent ice zation. of length for typewrit ing ribbons can be obtained by 'providing'a sliding connectionat the folds of the ribbon. Such a sliding connection may be provided at the ends'of the ribbon by means of sliding buckles.

A ribbon consisting of a plurality of sections in accordance with the present invention will then provide automatic balancing of the section lengths and the tendency of the outer length to hang down beyond the inner length willbe eliminated. The longer section will slide upon a buckle and willperforni a relative movement from the longer end of the ribbon to the shorter end. Since buckles are provided on opposite ends of theribbon equalizing will take place in both directions. .The'se buckles will at the same time accomplish the reversingfunctions of reversing buttons, or eyes, used heretofore. It is immaterial whether a plurality of windings is located on the two spools and what thelengths of these respetcivewindings are since equalization of-lengths will in any event take place most effectively as a result of the sliding connection at the folds of the ribbon.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description whentaken in connection with accompanying drawings showing, by way of example, preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

Figure lis a side View of a typewriting ribbon constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invetnion.

FigureZ is a top view of the ribbon shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a ribbon in a typewriting machine.

Figure 4 is apartial', perspective viewillustrating the arrangement of the ribbon in thecourse of typing.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic top view illustrating a ribbon of a somewhat different construction.

Figure 6is also a-diagrammatic top view illustrating a different ribbon.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic top View illustrating yet another ribbon.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic top 'view illustrating a different ribbon.

The typewriting ribbon shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings is unwound from a spool 1 and passed through guide rollers 2. The ribbon is passed through the usual ribbon reversing device 3 and extends over a guide roller 4. Types 5 which strike the ribbon are indicated diagrammatically in Figures 3 and 4. The ribbon includes end portions 8 which are not impregnated with inking fluid and which are provided with hooks 7 attaching the ribbon to the spool 1. The end portion 8 of the ribbon passes through one leg of an equalizing buckle 9. In accordance with the present invention the other leg of the buckle 9 may be provided with a roller 9a which facilitates sliding of the inked, folded portions 10 and 11 of the ribbon.

It is apparent that the equalization buckle 9 is used at the same time as reversing button and that it will actuate the reversing lever 3 of the usual type.

The impregnated portion of the ribbon is so arranged that section 10 is located in front of the striking keys 5.

The rear section 11 extends between the sheets 13 and 14 (Figure 4). On the other hand, the front ribbon section 10 is located between the keys 5 and the paper sheet 12. Ribbon sections 10 and 11 are joined together, to form an endless ribbon which extends over the guide rollers 4 to the right-hand side of the typewriting machine, and then extends back to spool 1.

The sheet 13 is preferably transparent while sheets 12 and 13 are not transparent. It is apparent that the key 5 which strikes the ribbon section 10 will produce positive impressions upon'the sheets '12 and 14 which will be originals, while a negative impression, also an original, will be produced upon the transparent sheet 13.

By way of example, the ribbon may be about 10 metres long and is used in conjuction with two sliding buckles 9. The ends 8 which are not impregnated may consist of single or double layers.

Figure illustrates a somewhat different construction wherein the ribbon is composed of two endless sections 20 which are attached at their ends by means of sliding buckles 21 to reversing ends 22. Thus in this construction a ribbon of four sections is produced with compensation of lengths taking place between two ribbon lengths.

A difierent arrangement, showing a ribbon consisting of four super-imposed sections, is illustrated in Figure 6. In this construction an endless ribbon 23 is folded in the middle so that two ends of the folded ribbon are located on one side while on the other side there is the middle fold. The two ends of the ribbon 23 are connected by means of sliding buckles 24 to a separate reversing end 25.

As shown in Figure 6 the intermediate fold 26 is connected to a double buckle 27 one end of which is attached to a ribbon end 28. It is apparent that the arrangement is such that each section of the ribbon, folded in the middle, will move through a slot provided in the double buckle 26.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 7 the ribbon 29 is folded in accordion fashion, to form 3 folded layers. It is apparent that the ribbon 29 has two folds situated at opposite ends of the ribbon. One of these folds is attached to the buckle 30 while the other fold is attached to buckle 31.

It is apparent that a similar arrangement can be utilized to provide a ribbon consisting of an uneven number of folded sections, for example five sections. It is apparent that an accordion-style folding of the ribbon will provide an arrangement wherein the number of folds is one less than the number of super-imposed sections. The folds will be uniformly disposed at the ends of the ribbon, and each fold will be slidably arranged at the ribbon ends.

The construction shown in Figure 8 illustrates an arrangement of a ribbon 32 consisting of four sections. In this case the ribbon is also folded accordion-like, and one side of the ribbon carries two folds which are attached to separate buckles 33 and 34. These buckles are joined and attached to a ribbon end 35. On the other side of the ribbon a fold is located between two ribbon ends. This fold is attached to a buckle 36 while the ribbon ends 37 and 38 are joined to each other and slidably connected to buckle 36.

The arrangement illustrated in Figure 8 also shows the possibility of forming a ribbon with an even number of i then upon one side of the ribbon a number of folds will be located which is equal to the next even number. These folds are attached to an equal number of buckles all of which are joined to a ribbon end. The opposite side of the ribbon has a number of folds which is the nextsmaller uneven number. These folds are also attached to the buckles and are slidably connected therewith.

It is apparent that while theoretically the number of super-imposed sections of ribbon is unlimited there is a limitation for all practical purposes, firstly due to the fact that in the ordinary machines spools can carry only a certain length of the ribbon and, secondly, because the adjustment of the length of ribbon sections is more complicated when there is a large number of sections. The usual number of sections will be two, three, or four superimposed sections. By Way of example, when four sections are used and the spool can carry a ribbon of a total length of metres the ribbon obtained will measure two and one-half metres.

It is apparent that the invention described above has been given solely by way of illustration and not by way 4 of limitation and that it is subject to many variations and modifications. All such variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A typewriting band for ofiice machines having ribbon tape-up and feeding spools, comprising a typewriting ribbon folded to form a plurality of superposed sections with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon, flexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the feeding and take-up spools, and means slidably connecting said end portions to the folds of the ribbon, whereby said sections are slidable relatively to each other to provide an adjustment in length.

2. A typewriting band for office machines having ribbon take-up and feeding spools, comprising a typewriting ribbon folded to form a plurality of superposed sections with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon, flexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the feeding '-and take-up spools, and buckles with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon, flexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the'feeding and take-up spools, buckles slidably connecting said end portions to the folds of the ribbon,

and rollers carried by said buckles and engaging said sec- "tions to facilitate'the sliding of said sections relatively to each other toprovide an adjustment in length.

4. A-typewriting band for office machines having ribbon take-up and feeding spools, comprising a typewriting ribbon folded toform two superposed sections with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon, flexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the feeding and take-up spools, and means slidably connecting said end portions to opposite ends of the sections.

5. A typewriting band for office machines having ribbon take-up and feeding spools, comprising a typewriting ribbon folded twice on itself to form four superposed sections with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon,

' two flexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the feeding and take-up spools, means slidably connecting one of said end portions to the two ends of said typewriting ribbons, and means slidably connecting the other one of said end portions to the middle fold of the typewriting ribbon, whereby two of said sections slide relatively to and-independently of each other.

6. A typewriting band for ofiice machines having ribbon take-up and feeding spools, comprising 'a typewriting ribbon folded twice on itself to form four superposed sections with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon, two flexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the feeding and take-up spools, buckles slidably connecting one of said end portions to the two ends of said typewriting ribbon, and a double buckle slidably connecting the other one of said end portions to the middle fold of the typewriting ribbon, whereby two of said sections slide relatively to and independently of each other.

7. A typewriting band for ofiice machines having ribbon take-up and feeding spools, comprising two typewriting ribbons, each of said typewriting ribbons being folded to form two sections with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon, the sections of said ribbons being superposed, fiexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the feeding and take-up spools, and buckles slidably connecting said end portions to the folds of the ribbons.

. 8. A typewritingband for oiiice machines having ribbon take-up and feeding spools, comprising a typewriting ribbon folded accordion-like to form an odd number of superposed sections with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon, whereby the number of folds of the ribbon is less than the number of sections, flexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the feeding and take-up spools, and means slidably connecting said end portions to the folds of the ribbon.

9. A typewriting band for oflice machines having ribbon take-up and feeding spools, comprising a typewriting ribbon folded accordion-like to form an even number of superposed sections with at least one fold on each end of the ribbon, whereby the ribbon has an odd number of folds, said odd number of folds consisting of an even number of folds located upon one side of the ribbon and an odd number of folds located upon the other side of the ribbon and between the ends thereof, flexible ribbon end portions of substantial length adapted to be attached to the feeding and take-up spools, and means slidably conhecting said end portions to the folds on opposite sides of the ribbon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

